First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba |
|
|---|---|
Logo of the Communist Party of Cuba
|
|
| Central Committee | |
| Style | Comrade (formal) |
| Member of | Central Committee, Politburo, Secretariat |
| Seat | Palace of the Revolution Havana, Cuba |
| Appointer | Central Committee |
| Term length | Five years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Statute of the Communist Party of Cuba |
| Formation | 18 August 1925 |
| First holder | José Miguel Pérez |
| Deputy | Second Secretary |
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba is the most important leader in Cuba. This person holds the highest position within the Communist Party of Cuba. They are also the top-ranking member of the Politburo. The Politburo is the main group that makes big decisions in Cuba. This makes the First Secretary the most powerful person in the Cuban government.
In countries led by a communist party, the First or General Secretary is usually the real leader. This position is often more powerful than being the President (head of state) or Prime Minister (head of government). This is true even if different people hold these jobs.
Contents
What Does the First Secretary Do?
The First Secretary leads the work of the Central Committee. This committee is called "the organized leader of the Cuban nation." It is also known as "the main driving force of society and the State." This is stated in Article 5 of Cuba's constitution.
The Central Committee is the Party's highest group between big meetings called party congresses. It can choose or remove the First Secretary during its sessions. The First Secretary also guides the work of the Secretariat. This is the Party's top executive group. They also lead the meetings of the Politburo, which is the Party's highest political group.
The current First Secretary is Miguel Díaz-Canel. He was chosen on April 19, 2021. He is also the current president of Cuba.
A Brief History of Cuba's Top Party Leader
The first group that led to today's Communist Party of Cuba started on August 18, 1925. Its first leader was José Miguel Pérez. However, he was forced to leave the country just thirteen days later. This was due to actions by the Cuban government at the time.
After Pérez, José Peña Vilaboa took over the leadership. He held the position until his death in 1927. During his time, Miguel Valdés García often served as acting leader due to Peña Vilaboa's health. Later, Joaquín Valdés Hernández was elected leader in April 1927.
Party work faced challenges until Jorge Abilio Vivó d’Escoto became the leader in 1930. In 1933, a big strike happened in Havana. Vivó was asked to step down in 1934. Blas Roca Calderio then became the leader. He stayed in office until June 24, 1961.
In 1961, the party joined with other groups to form the Integrated Revolutionary Organizations (IRO). Fidel Castro became its first secretary. This group later changed its name to the United Party for the Socialist Revolution of Cuba (PURSC) in 1962.
On October 3, 1965, the PURSC became the Communist Party of Cuba. Fidel Castro was elected as its First Secretary. He held this important role for 49 years. On April 19, 2011, his brother Raúl Castro took over the position. Raúl Castro served for two terms. Then, on April 19, 2021, Miguel Díaz-Canel became the First Secretary.
Who Has Held the Top Leadership Role?
Here is a list of the people who have served as the top leader of the Communist Party of Cuba and its earlier forms:
| No. | Officeholder | Took office | Left office | Tenure | Term | Birth | PM | Death | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
José Miguel Pérez | 18 August 1925 | 31 August 1925 | 13 days | 1st (1925–34) |
1896 | 1925 | 1936 | |
| 2 |  |
José Peña Vilaboa | September 1925 | 13 March 1927 | 193 days years | 1st (1925–34) |
1891 | 1925 | 1927 | |
| 3 | |
Joaquín Valdés | April 1927 | ? | ? years | 1st (1925–34) |
? | 1925 | ? | |
| 4 | |
Jorge Vivó | 29 March 1930 | 22 April 1934 | 4 years, 24 days | 1st (1925–34) |
1906 | 1927 | 1979 | |
| 5 |  |
Blas Roca | 22 April 1934 | 24 June 1961 | 27 years, 2 days | 2nd–? (1934–1961) |
1908 | 1930 | 1987 | |
| 6 | .jpg) |
Fidel Castro | 26 July 1961 | 19 April 2011 | 49 years, 267 days | PROV–5th (1961–2011) |
1926 | 1955 | 2016 | |
| 7 | .jpg) |
Raúl Castro | 19 April 2011 | 19 April 2021 | 10 years, 0 days | 6th–8th (2011–21) |
1931 | 1953 | Alive | |
| 8 | .jpg) |
Miguel Díaz-Canel | 19 April 2021 | Incumbent | 4 years, 62 days | 8th–present (2021–present) |
1960 | 1985 | Alive | |
See also
In Spanish: Primer secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba para niños
- List of political parties in Cuba
- Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba
- Secretariat of the Communist Party of Cuba
- President of Cuba
- Prime Minister of Cuba
- Cuba under Fidel Castro
